Want the most beautiful stone for a ring? Affordable diamond alternatives known as Cubic Zirconia Rings are synthetically made with a flawless and brilliant luster. According to gemologists, CZ stone is more affordable and more beautiful than even diamonds when made with pure 925 Sterling Silver! You can find beautiful men's Silver Cubic Zirconia Rings on OTTASILVER.
What is a Cubic Zirconia Ring Made of
One of the recent trends in engagement rings, Cubic Zirconia Rings are made with a center stone made from zirconium dioxide. The zirconium and oxide are combined with high heating and cooling to create a flawless stone.
The cubic crystalline form of ZrO2 or CZ is flawless and must not be confused with zircon, which is brown-colored flour. The synthetic stone is colorless; but, it is often mixed with a wide variety of metallic oxides to display a wide variety of colors.
Cubic Zirconia is often called a stimulant, fake or faux diamond for its unique resemblances with the precious stone. Considered 1/10th of a diamond in pricing, Cubic Zirconia Rings exhibit better clarity and luster than most center stones used in a ring. Available in loose stones as well as set rings, Cubic Zirconia is easier to polish when compared with other stones.
Characteristics of Cubic Zirconia
Although Cubic Zirconia resembles precious stones such as diamonds, it has varied structural characteristics that make it unique on a ring.
• Density: With a specific gravity of up to 6.0, Cubic Zirconia looks heavier than most stones and looks opulent as a ring stone.
• Play of Colors: Cubic Zirconia has a dispersion of 0.060 which adds to the fiery display of colors in it. Cubic Zirconia also has a higher refractive index of 2.15, adding to its brilliance.
• Cost: The manmade variety of diamond-like stones such as women’s zircon rings is flawless and easy to make in a lab. For example, a cubic zirconia stone of 3 carats will cost you a little over $30!
• Durability: As a CZ stone has no cleavage, it is hard to break or chip it like most center stones in a ring.
• Color: A Cubic Zirconia stone is 100% colorless. Metallic oxides can be added to the stone to induce colors. When compared to the diamond grading scale, the synthetic stone shows the perfect grade of “D” for colorless.
• Hardness: Cubic Zirconia displays a hardness of 8.0 on the MOHS Scale.
Where is Cubic Zirconia Used
Cubic zirconia is a manmade stone that resembles the beauty and structure of a diamond. From unique colors to the play of fire and fiery sparkle, there are many pointers to help you buy the perfect ring stone. The same is why CZ stones are exclusively used for jewelry including lapidary.
• Necklaces: CZ stones are used to make gaudy necklaces set with multiple zircon stones for a stylish look.
• Amulets: Protective amulets or talismans known as Tasbhis are often made from Cubic Zirconia owing to its esoteric religious beliefs according to Islam.
• Fashion Jewelry: Cubic Zirconia is extensively used in fashion jewelry due to its colorful varieties, and flawless and flashy brilliance. CZ stones are also widely used in cufflinks for men.
• Bracelets and Bangles: Often paired with strong metals such as silver, platinum, or gold, CZ stones are made into wristlets and bangles too.
• Rings: Cubic Zirconia stones are also widely used in engagement rings owing to their resemblance with the diamond. Zircon stones can be used to bejewel gemstone rings to promise rings such as men's cubic zirconia rings.
How to Pick a Cubic Zirconia Ring
A cubic zirconia stone differs based on quality grading, color, and composition. To choose a cubic zirconia ring that fits with your preferences, you must learn how a CZ stone is professionally categorized using the attributes below.
•Grades and Quality: A Cubic Zirconia ring is assessed the same way as a diamond using the 4Cs.
• Cut: Brilliant, Trilliant, Princess, Heart, and Oval shapes;
•Clarity: A to AAAAA with A being the lowest and AAAAA being the highest clarity;
•Color: Available mostly in colorless variety but trace elements can add colors such as Violet, Yellow, Purple, Blue, and Green.
•Carat: Considered heavier than diamond, CZ stone is graded based on carat size.
•Longevity: Cubic zirconia rings are tough to break owing to their lack of cleavage. The high density also makes cubic zirconia stones long-lasting as the center stone.
•Settings: Cubic zirconia stones can be made into a variety of shapes and set in stylish settings just like most ring stones. To select the right setting for your stone, assess the catalog of the jeweler. The best settings for a cubic zirconia ring are heart, oval, pear, round, and marquise, to name a few. Being a crystal with a high refractive index, cubic zirconia can be set with more facets than a diamond too. It offers visually appealing refraction and brilliance.
•Fluorescence: Cubic zirconia exhibits a variety of fluorescence, better than most ring stones. Under shortwave Ultra Violet rays, CZ emits yellow, green, and pale brown hues while shortwave UV radiation emanates a white glow.
Cubic Zirconia and Sterling Silver: The Perfect Combo for your Ring
Cubic Zirconia is often paired with silver, gold, platinum, and tungsten carbide to make jewelry. Sterling Silver is considered the best option for CZ rings due to its low cost and exemplary look when combined with CZ stones.
Referred to as 925 CZ when cubic zirconia is made in pure sterling silver, the brightness of a cubic zirconia ring is complemented when made with pure silver. CZ stone looks akin to a diamond while Sterling Silver looks like platinum, giving the CZ ring a classic and opulent look!
Our Cubic Zirconia silver rings are also rhodium plated for extended shine.
How to take care of a Cubic Zirconia Ring
Unlike most center stones, cubic zirconia does not chip or break but requires proper maintenance to keep the bright and fiery luster of the stone alive. If you know how to clean and prevent your CZ ring from tarnishing, it will last longer than any other ring.
Here are ways to take care of your cubic zirconia jewelry for keeping it new.
• Everyday Wear: Being one of the hardest stones, second only to diamond, cubic zirconia shows brittleness. Hence, it is important to avoid heavy machinery work or cleaning with harsh chemicals when you’re wearing a CZ Ring. Avoid tarnishing the natural luster of the stone by using it sparingly during unfavorable conditions.
• Harsh Chemicals: One must strictly avoid wearing the cubic zirconia ring when using body lotions, deodorants,, perfume, or hairspray as it stains and deteriorates the shine of the stone. When left neglected, oil and harsh chemicals bore into the stone and lead to breaking and chipping too.
• Water, Brush, and Soap: Take a soft bristle brush and rub it against an organic soap. Dab the brush in warm water and clean the CZ ring surface. As it is important to prevent harsh soap to remain on the stone, carefully rinse and dry the cubic zirconia engagement ring with a soft cloth.
• Soak the CZ Ring: To remove deep stains and grime from the engagement ring stone, soak your cubic zirconia ring for at least 7 minutes in a solution made from mixing detergent in warm water. Afterward, rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.
• Clean your Ring Once every Month: From environmental pollutants to everyday wear and tear, many factors affect the luster of an engagement ring. Setting a permanent schedule to clean your ring regularly is important for making it shine forever.
• Avoid Harsh Cleaners: You must also avoid using toxic cleaners such as Ammonia or Bleach when cleaning CZ ring as it damages the stone. These chemicals, when used to remove stubborn stains, will tarnish the stone.
• Polish Cloths: Also referred to as the professional cubic zirconia cleaning method, using a cotton cloth to clean your jewelry also maintains its natural shine. Gently clean the ring using a cotton cloth every night before bed.
• Cubic Zirconia Storage: It is ideal to keep the silver cubic Zirconia ring in an air-tight box or silk cloth when stored away for later use.
• Commercial Cleaning Liquid: You can also buy professional cleaning solutions for Cubic Zirconia made by reputable jewelers to maintain it at home.
Ultrasonic Sensors: An exclusive machine that cleans jewelry with gushes of water and gusts of ultrasonic waves, ultrasonic sensors are a durable cleaning method.
Before You Go...
Cubic Zirconia is an affordable stone that looks like a diamond and offers more than a diamond. The synthetic stone is durable, stylish, and best with 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry. To keep your lovely cubic zirconia ring safe, it is best to take care of it preventing the use of harsh chemicals and scheduling regular cleaning once every month.